After President Donald Trump tapped former Sen. Markwayne Mullin to serve as the Secretary of Homeland Security, a congressman from Oklahoma has launched a campaign to run for Mullin’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill the remainder of Mullin’s term, which is only through the end of 2026.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) announced his campaign for Mullin’s seat on March 11, just days after Trump nominated Mullin to serve as DHS Secretary.
“Today I’m announcing my campaign for the United States Senate. I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress. Now I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate,” Hern announced.
Hern, 64, a staunch Trump supporter, has served in U.S. Congress since 2018.
From 1997 through 2021, Hern owned a number of McDonald’s franchises in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He also started multiple other businesses in Oklahoma, including a hog farm, a community bank, several high-school sports publications, and a company that manufactured decor and furniture for some of the largest U.S. fast-food restaurant companies. In 2023 he had assets worth between $36 million and $110 million.
WATCH his campaign video below:
Today I’m announcing my campaign for the United States Senate.
I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress.
Now I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate.
Watch my launch video! pic.twitter.com/lGBsRpVTvs
— Kevin Hern (@krhern) March 11, 2026
In one post on X, Hern wrote:
I’m not a career politician. I’ve:
• worked as an aerospace engineer
• started businesses
• helped start a community bankThe Senate needs more people who’ve actually built things.
I’m not a career politician.
I’ve:
• worked as an aerospace engineer
• started businesses
• helped start a community bankThe Senate needs more people who’ve actually built things.
— Kevin Hern (@krhern) March 17, 2026
My path to the Senate wasn’t politics.
It was:
Air Force base kid →
engineering student →
aerospace engineer →
entrepreneur →
small business owner →
CongressmanNow I’m running for Senate. pic.twitter.com/LntTsuJEI3
— Kevin Hern (@krhern) March 15, 2026
President Donald Trump endorsed Hern for his Senate campaign on March 13.
I’m honored to have President Trump’s support as I run to represent Oklahoma in the United States Senate.
He has delivered strong leadership for our country, and I’m proud to stand with him to secure our borders, strengthen our economy, support our men and women in uniform, and… pic.twitter.com/Pm5KVflckT
— Kevin Hern (@krhern) March 14, 2026
I know what it takes to meet a payroll and grow jobs in our communities.
I’m running for Senate to bring a real-world mindset to Washington.
Join my fight →https://t.co/crXIEn8QW0
— Kevin Hern (@krhern) March 20, 2026
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